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HISTORY OF THE BATTLE 



OF THE 



ffliSKS iU. 



, 1778. 



BY W. W. H. DAVIS, A. M. 



PRICK 35 CENTS* 




The proceeds of sale to be applied to the erection of a Monument 
upon the field of battle. 



PRINTED AT THE DEMOCRAT OFFICE, 

DOYLESTOWN, PA. 

18G0. 



BATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET 



The Winter of 1777 and '78, and the following Spring, were among 
the most trying periods in our revolutionary struggle. The preceding 
campaign in the Middle States, had been disastrous in the extreme to 
the American arms. Defeated at Brandywine, forced to retreat at 
Gcrmaatown, Fort Mifflin destroyed, and Philadelphia occupied by 
the victorious British army, military operations for the season closed 
with but little hope for the success of the patriot cause. When Win- 
ter set in, Washington, with his shattered battalions, marched up the 
banks of the Schuylkill and sought shelter upon the bleak hills around 
the Valley Forge. Here this incomparable chieftain remained for 
several months, contending against an enemy more inexorable than 
British bayonet or Hessian sabre, watching General Howe and his 
troops in their comfortable quarters. 

Washington found it necessary to have the country between the 
Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, and extending some thirty miles back 
from the British lines, well patrolled, to prevent supplies reaching the 
enemy in Philadelphia, and to break up their marauding and foraging 
excursions into the interior. Por this purpose a considerable body of 
militia was kept actively employed during the Winter and Spring 
under a reliable officer. Early in January, 1778, he appointed to this 
command John Lacey, who had lately been commissioned a Brigadier 
General by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. . General 
Lacey was a native of Buckingham township, Bucks county, in this 
State, and at this period was but twenty-two years of age. He had 
served during the campaign of 1770 on the Canada frontier under Wayne, 
in whose regiment he held a Captain's commission ; whence he re- 
turned home and resigned. During the following year he was in active 
service as Colonel of a Bucks county regiment, and with which he 
participated in the battle of Germantown, and the action at the Gulf 
Mills. He had gained such high reputation for skill and courage, that 
Washington now called him to this command, one of the most respou- 
yiblo that can devolve upon an officer. 

(jcncral Lacey immediately entered upon the discharge of hit- uctv' 



4 BATTLE OF THE CUOOKED BILLET. 

duties. Soon after he assumed command of his brigade the Com- 
raandcr-in-Chief, from his winter quarters, addressed him the follow- 
ing letter, vyhich embodies, substantially, his instructions : 

Head-Quarters, Yalley Forge, Jan. 23, 1778. 

Sir, — I received your favor dated the 21st inst. I must request 
that you will exert yourself to fulfil the intention of keeping a body 
of troops in the country where you are posted. Protecting the inhab- 
itants is one of the ends designed, and preventing supplies and inter- 
course with the enemy and city is the other. This, perhaps, with the 
utmost vigilance cannot be totally elTected ; but I must entreat you to 
take every step that may render it possible. As to the reduction of 
your numbers, I wish you to make timely application to the President 
of the State, to keep up the necessary force under your command. 

I am well informed that many persons, under the pretence of fur- 
m^hing the inhabitants of Germantown, and near the enemy's lines, 
afford immense supplies to the Philadelphia market — a conduct highly 
prejudicial to us, and contrary to every order. It is therefore become 
proper to make an example of some guilty one, that the rest may 
expect a like fate, should they persist. This I am determined to put 
into execution ; and request you when a suitable object falls into your 
hands, that you will send him here with a witness ; or let me know 
his name, when you shall have power to try, and (if proved guilty) ta 
execute. This you will be pleased to make known to the people, that 
they may again have warning. Your want of whiskey I cannot remedy 
— we are in the same situation here, and nothing effectual can be done 
until the arrival of the Committee of Congress, whom we expect every 
day. I am, sir, 

Your most humble servant, 
(Signed,) GEO. WASHINGTON. 

Upon taking the field he established his Head-Quarters at Graeme 
Park, on the County line, near where that road crosses the Doylestown 
and Willow Grove turnpike, and fixed his depot of provisions at 
Doylestown, where he stationed a small guard for their protection. 
Considering the former situation too much exposed, he soon afterward 
changed his quarters to Pkodman's Farm, in Warwick township, where 
he continued them until about the first of March, when he moved down 
the York Iload to the Crooked Billet, where he encamped. At this 
time his whole force was but little over three hundred men, made up 
entirely of raw militia, many of whom where badly armed and equip- 
ped. From this place he marched to Whitemarsh, where he encamped 
on the 11th of March. He remained only a few days in camp here, 
when he again moved up toward the Neshaminy, in order to protect 
the mills along that stream, many of which were grinding grain for 
the army. Some of them had a large stock of grain and flour on hand, 



BATTLE OF THE CROOKED lULLET. •") 

and it was feared tlic enemy might make a sudden foray and destroy 
them. 

On the 10th of March, be placed Lieutenant Eobert Vanhorn, of 
Southampton township, Bucks county, in command of a troop of horse, 
with the following instructions for bis guidance : 

Camp, March IDth, 1778. 

Sir : — You are to proceed with your troop toward the enemy's lines 
— to keep on the roads leading to Bristol, to Smitbfield, the York and 
the Whitemarsh roads. You will keep constant patrols on these roads, 
by night and day ; and if the enemy should come out, you will im- 
mediately send me notice. If your parties should meet with any 
people going to market, or any persons whatever going to the city, and 
they endeavor to make their escape, you will order your men to fire 
upon the villains. You will leave such on the roads, their bodies and 
their marketing lying together. This I wish you to execute on tho 
first offenders you meet, that they may be a warning to others. You 
are to let no person whatever go to the city. You are to stay on the 
lines until further orders. You will send me word of your movements, 
and what information you can get from the enemy, every day, by one 
of the troop. I am, sir, 

Your most obdt., 
(Signed,) J. LACEY. 

To Mr. Vanhorn, 

Commanding the Light-Horse. 

During this season General Lacey and his small party were very 
active in scouring the country for many miles around Philadelphia. 
His force at some times was so much reduced that he was obliged to 
keep them in one body, and head them himself, in expeditions 
against the enemy. He was closely watched by the British and To- 
ries, and, as the spring opened, they were more active than ever in 
their exertions to capture him. In order to avoid surprise, he fre- 
quently changed his camp, and would not remain in some localities 
more than two or three days. By being thus constantly on his guard, 
he escaped the parties of the enemy who were sent out to surprise him. 

By the end of March, the intercourse with the enemy in Philadel- 
phia had reached such a height, and become so injurious to the cause 
of the colonies, that it was held in serious consideration to depopulate 
the whole country between the Delaware and the Schuylkill rivers, for 
fifteen miles around the city, by compelling the inhabitants, by force, 
to remove back beyond that distance. A conference was held on this 
subject, at the Spring House, on the 23d instant, between (Jenerals 
Mcintosh and Lacey, and several field-officers of the army. They 
agreed upon the bcnclit the cause of independence would derive from 
tho measure, and General Mcintosh was authorized to lay the plan 



'» IJATTLB 0¥ THE CU001<.E1) BlLLEl'. 

before (General Wasliingtou, on his rctura to bead qututoif. Goncrai 
Luccy also adiircssod Liiui on the same subject, on the 2l)th, in which 
communication appears the following paragraph, which exhibits the 
bad state of things : 

" Every kind of villainy is carried on by the people near the ene- 
my's Hues; and, from their general conduct, I am induced to believe 
but fev7 real friends to America are left within ten miles of Philadel- 
phia. Those who have appeared the least active, have either been 
made prisoners by the enemy, or compelled to fly to some other part 
of the country for safety. I have a number of notorious offenders now 
confined, who were taken by my parties, going to market." 

The battle of the Crooked IJillct, now Ilatborough, Montgomery 
county, Pennsylvania, was fought on the first day of May, 1778. 
(Joneral Lacy had his head-quarters at this place most of the time from 
the psriod when he returned with his command from Whitemarsh, 
about the middle of March, to the day of the action. He was actively 
engaged, meanwhile, in scouring the country in pursuit of parties of 
refugees and British troops, and in endeavoring to cut off all intercourse 
with the city. 

The American troops were encamped in or near a large wood at the 
upper end of tlie Crooked Billet, on the farm of Samuel Irvine, and 
now owned by William K. G Oentncr. In his front the wood extended 
some three or four hundred yards along the York road, and a greater 
distance to the east, and contained about twenty-five acres. In his 
rear there was an open, cultivated, country, for more than a half mile, 
to the county line, with a small body of timber, about midway to that 
road. General Lacey was quartered in a stone house, about three 
hundred yards to the right and rear of his encampment, on the oppo- 
site side ef the York road. It was then owned by a man named Gil- 
bert, but now belongs to John M. Hogeland. There is a difference 
of opinion as to the house in which Lacey was (juartered ; some con- 
tending it was that of the late Asa Comly, some distance higher up 
the road, and then owned by John Tompkins. But from the most 
reliable information we have been able to obtain, as well as the situa- 
tion of the premises, we feel confident he was quartered in the house 
of Mr. Hogeland. The wood in front of the encampment until it was 
lately cut down, showed traces of spoliation by the troops, in order to 
obtain fuel; the new growth of trees, in the phce of those cut down, 
being much smaller than in other parts of the wood. Lacey was 
joined the evening before the attack by a body of militia, without arrtis, 
who fared badly the next day. The exact number of the Americana 
has never been rightly aiccrtuiucd, but is iiuppoatd not to have exceed- 



BATTliE or THE CROOKETJ "BILLET. ( 

ed four hundrctl in all, who wcro raw militio. ITc took the necessary 
moasurfts to prevent a surprise, and if his orders had been faithfully 
C4xrried out by those upon whom they devolved, ho would not have 
been found by tho enemy unprepared to meet them. The evening 
before he gave orders for the patrols, under two commissioned oiBcers, 
of whom Lieutenant Neilson was one, to leave the camp between two 
and three o'clock the next morning, scour the country toward the ene- 
my's lines, and report to him the first intimation of their approach. 
They did not leave camp, however, until near daylight, and when they 
met the enemy neglected to give the alarm. Under these circum- 
stances the Americans were taken entirely, by surprise. 

The commander-in-chief of the British array had for some time 
deemed it of importance to attack and disperse the force of Oeneral 
Laeey, which had, during the winter and spring, done them much harm, 
by stopping the communication between the city and country, and 
thus prevented the people carrying their produce to market. Major 
Simcoe, the commander of the " Queen's Rangers," an active refugee 
corps, which had made many incursions into the surrounding countryj 
had it in contemplation to surprise Lacey's camp. He laid his plans 
before Colonel Balfour, and asked his co-operation. Spies were im- 
mediately sent into Lacey's neighborhood, and all his movements 
closely watched ; every information which they obtained being imme- 
diately communicated to these British officers. A few days after 
their first interview, Balfour informed Simcoe that Greneral Lacey was 
to be at the Billet, with his corps, on the first day of May, and fur- 
nished him such other information as would be of service to him, 
Simcoe laid this intelligence before Cleneral Howe, who approved his 
plans and gave him permission to attack the Americans ; and, from 
his superior knowledge of the country and the roads, upon him devolved 
the duty of making the necessary arrangements to insure success. His 
plan was, to march with the Queen's Rangers and attack Lacey on 
the left and rear, and thus cut off his communication with the upper 
country ; while another body of British troops should ambuscade them- 
selves in a wood on the road from the Billet to the Horsham meet- 
ing-house, which runs in the direction of the Valley Forge. It was 
supposed, if Lacey should be defeated, he would march toward the 
main army, and that this ambuscade placed in the wood for that pur- 
pose, would effectually cut off his retreat. Simcoe was to begin the 
attack, and when the firing of the Rangers should be heard in the 
rear another body was to move up in front, thus placing the Ameri- 
cans between two fires ; and, acting in concert, it was supposed they 



8 IJATTLE or TIJE CROOKED BILLET. 

would be able to accomplish their object without much difSeulty. In 
aiilition to the, Queen's Kangers, under Simeoc, there was selected for 
this enterprise a largo detachment of light infantry and cavalry, tho 
whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Abcrcrombie. Sparo 
horses were led, in order to mount the infantry, if necessary, for greater 
expedition. Having made all the preliminary arrangements, the morn- 
ing of the first day of May was fixed upon as the time for attack, and 
the troops ordered to hold themselves in readiness. 

The British troops left Philadelphia the afternoon before, under the 
direction of guides who were well acquainted with the country. They 
marched out the Second Street road, and up the Middle road through 
the Fox Chase to the village of Huntingdon, where the force separated. 
The main body, composed of the light infantry and most of the cavalry, 
commanded by Abcrcrombie in person, struck across to the York road, 
and so on up to Horsham, in order to form the proposed ambuscade, 
and also attack Lacey in front. Simcoe continued his march up the 
Middle road, occasionally making a detour to avoid such places as 
Laccy's men might chance to be at, thus prolonging the distance he 
had to march. He turned to the left into the Byberry road, along 
which he marched to what is now known as Lloyd's Corner, when ho 
again changed his direction, by turning into the road which runs from 
the Willow Grove to the county line. At the first cross-roads, where 
Archibald Banes used to live, he again turned to the left, and came 
out into the county line a short distance above the eight-square school- 
house. Just above this point he struck across the fields, on the farm 
of Isaac Boileau, the nearest way to the Billet. The instructions 
to Captain Kerr's division, which marched with Major Simcoe, 
were to seise and barricade Lacey's quarters, and hold them as a ral- 
lying point, in case of any discomfiture. They were so exceedingly anx- 
ious to capture Lacey, that they placed spies in the apple-trees around 
his quarters to watch his movements ; but, fortunately, he escaped 
without being discovered. Simcoe, during the night, fell in with Cap- 
tain Thomas's company of armed refugees, which he would certainly 
have mistaken for Americans, and attacked them, had he not received 
information about twilight that they were in the neighborhood. But 
for this knowledge, a serious episode to the British might have hap- 
pened. Both parties marched as rapidly as possible in order to reach 
their destination while under cover of darkness, and commence the 
attack at or near the same time. Simcoe marched with such caution 
that he escaped all Laccy's patrols ; but daylight appeared when he 
was some distance from the American camp. The ofliccr who com- 



batTlS op the crooked billet. 9 

toanded tbc party ia ambush met one of the patrols within two miles 
of the American camp, who, when fired upon, fled in a contrary direc- 
tion. The patrol, which left camp about daylight, was divided into 
three parts ; that under Lieutenant Neilson took the right hand road 
from the Billet, leading to Horsham, and on which the ambush was 
placed. After proceeding about a mile and a half, they first saw the 
'ememy's light-horse, when they took post in a wood to fire upon them 
when they should come within reach. Soon they saw a party of foot 
following, when Lieutenant Neilson ordered a soldier, named John 
■Morrow, to return to camp and give the alarm. He did so, and when 
he arrived there he found the men already paraded behind the camp, 
and fell into the ranks with them j but he was too late to save them 
from surprise. A second scout, which went in another direction, was 
Kjommawded by Ensign Laughlin. They marched about two miles 
without discovering any thing of the enemy ; when they returned and 
were close to the camp, when they first heard the firing. Abercrom- 
1)16, fearing he should not be in time to support Simcoe, detached the 
■cavalry and mounted infantry to the place of ambuscade, in advance, 
and with the main body marched up the York road to attack the 
Americans in front. From the manner in which Lacey was surrounded, 
Abercrombie mnst have detached a party up the Easton road, to turn 
bis right flank and fall upon his rear, in concert with the Queen's 
llangers. They probably came into the York road where the county 
line crosees it, and were the cavalry which is mentioned as having at- 
tacked him on the left flank, soon after he commenced his retreat. He 
mentions, in his dispatch to General Armstrong, that one party of the 
•enemy passed the cross-roads in his rear before his scoiit got there. 

Tfce first intimation Cleneral Lacey had of the approach of the ene- 
my was at daylight in the morning, when thev were within about 
two hundred yards of bis camp. He was in bed, and had barely time 
to dress, mount his horse and join his men, before they were within 
musket shot of his quarters. He discovered the enemy in front and 
rear near the same time, who opened a fire upon him, some being shel- 
tered behind fences and in the neighboring houses. His situation was 
a critical one, and as there was no time left for speculation as to the 
course he should pursue, he was obliged to act upon the emergency of 
the occasion. Seeing himself almost surrounded, and the enemy's 
force much superior to his own, he deemed it injudicious to make a 
stand against them, and therefore ordered a retreat. He moved in 
columns to the left, in the direction of a wood, his wagons following in 
his rear, across open fields and in full view of the enemy, who were 



10 BATTLE OF THE ("ROOKED BILLET. 

in pursuit. He relates that when he emerged into the open Odds, an J 
a large body of the enemy's horse appeared in front, his men gave hira 
an anxious look, as much as to ask him what they should do. lie 
told them to " deliver their fire and push on." After marching a 
short distance, his flanking parties first began to exchange shots with 
the enemy, which grew warmer and warmer as they advanced, and soon 
he was hotly engaged. He moved on across the fields, in tolerable 
order until he reached the wood, where he was obliged to make a 
stand to open his way, as by this time the various parties of the enemy 
had come up, and now attacked him on all sides. In his report of the 
action to Washington, he says : " I kept moving on till I made the 
wootl, when a party of both horse and foot came up the By berry road, 
and attacked my right flank — the party from the Billet fell upon my 
rear — the horse from the rear of my camp came upon my loft flank, 
and a body of horse appeared directly in front." The enemy now be- 
gan to concentrate all their force upon the wood, and being still much 
exposed and having suffered considerable loss, (leueral Lacey thought 
it would be safer to move on, which he did with the loss of all his 
baggage, which fell into the enemy's hands. It was Simcoe with his 
rangers and cavalry who appeared on Lacey's right flank and front, 
about the time he reached the wood. When ho had quitted the main 
road and struck across the fields, to march directly to the Billet, and 
was informing the officers of his plan of attack, he heard firing in 
the direction of Abercrombie's detachment, and exclaimed, " The dra- 
goons have discovered us," and marched forward at a rapid pace to join 
in the action. lie came up on the right flank of the retreating Ame- 
ricans, as has been already mcatioued, intercepting in his march small 
parties of the flying militiamen, who were mostly killed. While ho 
pushed on for the main body of tlie Americans, he dispatched thirty 
dragoons to intercept the baggage of General Lacey, which they suc- 
ceeded in doing, as it was crossing the fields. As the Americans were 
inarching through the wood Major Simcoe endeavored, by a ruse de 
f/ucrre., to induce them to lay down their arms. He rode up within 
hailing distance, and commanded them to surrender. As they did not 
atop, he next gave the commands, in a loud tone, " make ready" — 
"present" — "fire" — hoping to deceive them into the belief that he 
had a large body of troops with him. In this he was disappointed ; 
they moved on as before, and paid no other attention to him than to 
bow their heads at the word — "fire." They continued to retreat, 
skirmishing as they marched, for nearly two miles, the British hang- 
ing upon their flanks and rear, and now and then a man fulling — 



BATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET. 11 

killed or wounJed. Tbcy passed across the farm of Thomas Craven, 
now owned by Mr. Finney, thence through what is now the village of 
Johnsville, in Warminster township, ]]ucks county, and so on nearly 
to Hart's GDrner, on the J]ristol road, where they suddenly turned to 
the left into a wood, and thus escaped the pursuit. Thence they struck 
across the country to the York road, which they came into just below 
the Cross Iloads, now Hartsville, and moved down toward the Billet, 
hoping to find the ensmy, in the hour of victory, off their guard and 
thus be able to gain some advantage over them. They found, how- 
ever, upon their arrival at the scene of the late action that they had 
retired, carrying with them most of their killed and wounded. The 
British followed the retreating Americans until they made the sudden 
turn to the left, when they gave up the pursuit and returned to the 
field to gather up the spoils and prepare to return to the city. 

The enemy behaved in the most inhuman manner to the wounded 
Americans they found lying on the field, many of whom they mangled 
shockingly and burnt in buckwheat straw. The latter circumstance, 
for the sake of humanity and the credit of the English name, we would 
fain disbelieve, but there is such undoubted evidence to sustain it, that 
we are fully convinced of its truth. Oa the farm of Thomas Craven, 
in a field near the county line, was a larg3 heap of buckwheat straw, 
(larret Kroeson deceased, who then lived in the neighborhood, says a 
skirmishing party of Americans, much fatigued, crept into this straw 
about sunrise in the morning, when a Tory who knew their secret rest- 
ing place, informed the British. They set fire to the straw while the 
Americans were asleep, burnt some to death on the spot, and others 
were so badly burned that they died in a short time. They also set fire 
to the wounded, many of whom had dragged themselves to the straw 
for shelter, while they were yet alive, and caused them to expire in the 
most excruciating agony. We have abundant proof to sustain this 
statement, (leneral Lacey, in his letter to Greneral Armstrong, of the 
date of the 7th of May, speaks of this circumstance in the following 
manner : " Many of the unfortunate who fell into the merciless hands 
of the British, were more cruelly and inhumanly butchered. Home 
were set on fire with buckwheat straw, and others had their clothes 
burnt on their backs. Some of the surviving sufi:'erers say they saw 
the enemy set fire to the wounded while yet alive, who struggled to put 
it out but were too weak, and expired under this torture. I saw those 
lying in the buckwheat straw — they made a most melancholy appear- 
ance. Others I saw, who, after being wounded with a ball, had re- 
ceived near a dozen wounds with cutlasses and bayonets. I can find 



12 15ATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET. 

as many witnesses to the proof of these cruelties as there were people 
on the spot, and that was no small number who came as spectators." 
The loss of the Americans was twenty-six killed, and eight or ten 
wounded, most of whom fell while marching across the open fields j. 
several prisoners were taken, but it is not known how many. The 
loss of the British could never be ascertained, as they carried the killed 
and wounded with them to the city — it must, however, have been con- 
siderable. One field officer is supposed to have fallen, and another 
ofl&cer was severely wounded in the knee, near the house of Thomas 
Craven, into which ho was carried. Major Simcoe admits that some 
of his rangers were wounded, as was also the horse of his orderly hus- 
sar. He likewise mentions that the shoe-buckles of one Captain 
McGill probably saved the life of that officer. General Lacey states 
that he captured two of their horses, and that five were left dead on 
the field. Of the Americans, two officers of the patrols were killed 
and also a Captain Downey, who was horribly mangled, and whose 
obituary notice we insert. The baggage captured from the Americans 
was taken to Philadelphia and sold, and the proceeds divided among 
the men of the expedition. It yielded one dollar to each man. 

The foUowiag obituary notice of Captain Downey appeared in the 
Pennsylvania Packet, in May, 1778 : 

*' Plumstead, Bucks Count!/, May 4th, 1778. 

" Among the slain near the Crooked Billet, on Friday the first in- 
stant, fell the gallant Captain Jno. Downey, late school master in Phi- 
ladelphia, whose worth entitles him to a place in the annals of America. 
He took an active and early part in our struggle for liberty. He went, 
us a volunteer to Jersey last winter a year, where he behaved gallant- 
ly in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He being chosen captain 
of a company of Philadelphia militia, served his tour of duty, two 
months last summer at Billing^port, when, on account of his superior 
knowledge of mathematics, the Executive Council employed him to 
make a military survey of the river Delaware, which he performed with 
great exactness. Since which time he has performed many very im- 
portant services to bis country, a love to which prompted him to attempt 
any thing which promised its welfare. He lately acted as an assistant 
commissary, and in this capacity was with our brave militia when at- 
tacked last Friday. From his known readiness to fight and bleed for 
his country, it is more than probable when the attack began he attempted 
to join his countrymen when he was shot through the shoulder, and 
that he lay in his blood until the enemy returned, when they dis- 
patched him in a cruel manner, for his body was found with one of his 
hands almost cut oft', his head slashed in several places, his scull cut 
through, his brains coming out of his nose and scattered all around. 
He was an enlightened patriot, an affectionate friend, a gallant soldier, 
u fund husband and an indulgent parent. He had no inheritance to 



BATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET. 1'^ 

leave, as his little property was left in Philadelphia ; but he has left 
a sorrowful widow, and five helpless children, in very indigent circum- 
stances. They are worthy the notice of the charitable." 

The dead were collected and buried in one grave, near where they 
fell, in a field along the county line, and a short distance above Cra- 
ven's Corner. The wounded were carried to the house of Thomas 
Craven, near bv, where they were well taken care of, and remained 
until they recovered, or were able to be removed to their own homes. 
After General Laccy had paid the last sad rites of humanity to the 
dead, and had his wounded made comfortable, he took up the line of 
march for the Cross-Roads, now Hartsville, where he encamped on the 
north bank of the Nesharainy creek, which he considered a very safe 
position, and of easy defence. 

The following incidents, connected with the battle of the Crooked 
Billet, were related to us, either by those who had lived contempora- 
neously with that event, or by others who received them from that 
source, and therefore may be relied upon as correct. 

When the British returned from the pursuit, they rode up to several 
houses in the village and asked for bread and cheese, but did not tarry 
a long time, from fear that the Americans might rally and attack them. 
They plundered some of the houses, and spread great consternation 
among the inhabitants. A small party of them went to the house of 
David Marple, a very aged man, and grandfather of Col. David Marple, 
of Warminster township, Bucks county, and ordered him and his fami- 
ly to catch and cook the chickens for them. He told them he was 
unable to do it, when they excused him, and ordered his sons and 
daughters to catch them, which they were obliged to do. They even 
compelled them take the setting hens from their nests. 

The last British soldier was killed in a wood a short distance above 
what was then known as Hart's Corner, on the east side of the Bristol 
road. He was chasing an American named Vandyke, and had oome 
within a few yards of him, while running through the wood. He 
snapped one pistol at him, which missed fire. Vandyke, in his alarm, 
seems not to have recollected that he carried a loaded musket on his 
shoulder, but was retreating as rapidly as possible, with a fair pros- 
pect of having his brains blown out by his pursuer, When the dra- 
goon was about drawing his second pistol, it occurred to the American 
that his gun was loaded, and might in this critical posture of affairs 
do him some service. Thereupon, without any delay, he took delib- 
erate aim at the Englishman and shot him dead ; then mounted his 
horse and rode away to join the main body of Americans. This inci- 



14 BATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET. 

(lent used to be related by Ciiptain Baird, now deceased, wbo was an 
officer in tho. action, and we think an eyewitness to the affair. 

At this period, there lived in the neighborhood of the l>illet two 
men named Van IJu.'-kirk, both of whom bore the title of captain ; one 
was noted for being a staunch Whig, and the other was quite as violent 
a Tory. The IJritish knew only of the Whig, and had long been anx- 
ious to capture him, as he made himself very obnoxious by his activity 
in the cause of the colonies. While they were burning the buckwheat 
8traw, many of the neighbors collected there, to see what was going 
on, and among the number was the Tory Captain Van ]>uskirk. He 
was known to those present, and some one of them called him by 
name. A British cficer hearing this, immediately asked him if he 
was Captain Van Buskirk. lie replied that he was, no doubt feeling 
pleased that he was thus noticed, and looked for some compliment for 
Lis services to King George. Alas ! the poor man was most sadly 
mistaken, for be was immediately arrested and placed in irons, being 
mistaken for his patriotic uametake. He asserted his innocence again 
and again, and assured thera he was the wrong person, and not the 
Whig Van Buskirk, whom they wanted. But his protestations had 
no other effect than to raise a laugh at his expense ; they could not be 
caught in any such trap as that, in order to allow an arch-rehel to 
csoape and therefore they held on to him. His neighbors smiled and 
said nothing in his behalf — thinking the joke was entirely too good an 
one to be rectified. They hurried him off to Philadelphia with them, 
whore they kept him in jail for some time, and treated him very badly. 
At last some persons in the city, who knew him, interested themselves 
in his behalf, and convinced his captors he was the wrong person, and 
not the one they wanted. Upon this they set him at liberty, and 
made many apologies for the injury they had done him. But it did 
not cure the wound. He returned home, annd ever after was as 
staunch a Whig as his namesake. The medicine had worked a radical 
cure. 

Soon after the British, when on their way to the scene of action, 
had turned into the cross-road at Lloyd's Corner, they stopped at a 
farm-house — now owned by Mr. William Kelly — and roused up the 
inmates, to procure a guide to show them tho nearest way to the Bil- 
let ; they were behind their time, and in great haste. A young man 
living with the family put his head out of the window and demanded 
their business. They told him he must show them the road to the 
Billet, and ordered him to dress and come down immediately. He 
refused to until they threatened to shoot him if he did not comply with 



■BATTLE or THE CROOKED lUEI.ET. 15 

their demauJ. lie told them if he should accompany them, and the 
Americans caught him, they would certainly kill him, and that ho 
could only show them the way on condition that they would furnish 
him with a fast horse, to enable him to esijape if his countrymen should 
attempt to capture him. This they agreed to, and mounted him on a 
fleet animal and placed him at the head of the column. He soon 
found the horse he rode was a very fast one, and vratching his oppor- 
tunity when he was a short distance in advance, put whip to his horse 
and made his escape. They fired their pistols at him, which only 
increased his speed ; and as they did not dare pursue him, for fear of 
falling into an ambush of the Americans, he succeeded in getting off 
without any difficulty. This was related to the writer by the lato 
Judge Watts of Bucks county, who saw the man, about daylight, rid- 
ing along the road which runs from the county line to the Bristol road 
at the top of his speed. He was without hat or coat ; and my inform- 
ant did not know what was the matter then, but learned the cause of 
it in a few days. When Judge Watts saw him he was passing through 
what is now the village of Davisville. An officer of Siaicoe's column 
left his horse at the house of Isaac Boileau, a short distance above the 
eight-square school house, on the county line, in charge of a negro 
slave named Moore, and threatened terrible things against him if he 
should let any of the '■' jRehels," take him before his return. In a 
short time a retreating American, hard pressed, came that way and 
demanded the horse; the negro refused to give him up until the sol- 
dier made some demonstration of enforcing his modest request, when 
he surrendered him. The American mounted him and rode away 
across the fields. Not long afterward the English returned, when the 
officer came to inquire for his horse, which he saw was gone. The poor 
black was much alarmed, and as well as he could explained to him 
how the American had forced him to give the horse. The English- 
man was in a terrible rage when he learned what had taken place, and 
immediately put the negro under arrest and carried him along with the 
troops ; but he was released after traveling a few miles, and returned 
home in safety. This was related to the writer by an eyewitness to 
the transaction. 

The last American killed was at Hart's Corner. In company with 
another man, named Cooper, he had retreated along the road which 
runs from Johnsville to the Bristol road. The main body was in ad- 
vance of them, and they were sitting side by side on the fence at the 
end of the road, resting themselves before going into the wood, when 
two British dragoons, unobserved by them, raised the hill near the 



iG iJATtLE OP TUE CROOKEt) lilLLET. 

house in wliich General White lately lived, and approached withld 
tanco of their carbines. One of them fired his piece at the two Ameri- 
cans, the ball from which struck Cooper's companion, who fell off the 
Fence dead. Cooper jumped over into the wood, and escaped. The 
blood remained on the fence for many years. 

Isaac Tomkins relates that he was a small boy at the time of the 
battle, but remembers the day very distinctly. He then lived with 
his father, in the building in which Mr-. Fretz now keeps store in Hat- 
borough, lie had just got up, about sunrise in the morning, when 
his sister, who had been sent into the garden to plant cucumbers, came 
runnin<T into the house shouting '' the British are coming," when they 
looked out and saw a large body of red-coated dragoons marching up 
Ihe road. These were part of Abercrombie's command, who made the 
attack in front. 

The late Jonathan Delany used to mention a circumstance he wit- 
nessed. He was living at the time in Frankford, through which one 
■detachment of the British troops passed on their return to the city. 
Among the prisoners was an old man, who wore on his shoes a pair of 
large silver buckles. They attracted the attention of a soldier who, 
as thev were marching along the street, left the ranks and stooped 
down to tear them oflP. The old man, who was not disposed to be thus 
t-obbed of his property, struck the thief on the head with his fist and 
knocked him over on to the ground. The other soldiers who witnes» 
Be<l the act gave a loud shout in approval of the prisoner's courage. 

Nathan Marple, father of Col. Marplc, was then a lad about sixteen 
years of age, and lived with his father in the Billet. He heard the 
Sring early in the morning, and supposing Lacey's men were getting 
ready to drill, started across the field to go to them. He had not got 
far, however, when he saw the British dragoons riding across the field 
toward the camp ; they had cloaks on, and he could not see their red- 
•coats. He took warning at what ho saw, and returned home. He 
further relates, that he saw an officer ride some distance in front of his 
men, halt, rise up in his stirrups, and look all around as if he were 
reconnoitering. He immediately heard the report of a gun, and saw 
the officer fall to the ground. The horse, instead of runnine away as 
might be supposed at the loss of his rider, wheeled around and canter- 
ed back to his company. 

Mr. Safety Maghee, of Northampton township, Bucks county, a 
gentleman now nearly ninety-six years of age, gave us some time ago 
the following as his recollection of the action at the Crooked Billet. 
He says :— 



BATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET. 17 

" In 1778 I was living with my uncle, Thomas Folwell, in South- 
ampton township, in the house where Horatio G. Yerkes now lives. 
On the morning of the battle of the Billet, now Hatborough, I heard 
the firing very distinctly, and a black man, named Harry, and myself 
concluded we would go and see what was going on. I was then about 
thirteen years old. We started from the house and went directly 
toward where the firing was. When we came near where Johnsville 
now stands, we heard a heavy volley there, which brought us to a halt. 
The firing was in the woods. The British were in pursuit of our Mi- 
litia and chased them along the road that leads from Johnsville to the 
Bristol road, and also through the fields from the Street road to the 
Bristol road. They overtook the militia in the woods at the corner of 
the Street road and the one that leads across to the Bristol road. 
When the firing had ceased, we continued on and found three wounded 
militia-men near the wood ; they appeared to have been wounded by 
the sword, and were much cut and hacked. When we got to them 
they were groaning greatly. They died in a little while, and I under- 
stood they were buried on the spot. They appeared to be G-ermanSi 
We then passed on, and in a field near by we saw two horses lying 
dead — they were British, One of them was shot in the head, and the 
gun had been put so near that the hair was scorched. While we were 
on the field, Harry picked up a cartouch box that had been dropped 
or torn off the wearer. Shortly after, we met some of the militia re- 
turning, and when they saw the black fellow with the cartouch box, 
they became very much enraged, and accused him of robbing the dead 
and took it away from him. These dead horses were on the firm of 
Col. Joseph Hart. Soon after this we returned home. The last man 
was killed on the Bristol road, at the end of the road that comes across 
from Johnsville. A British officer who was wounded in the battle was 
taken to the house of Samuel Irvia who liveu near by. His wounds 
were dressed there, and he afterward returned with the troops to 
Philadelphia. This affair created a good deal of excitement in the 
neighborhood." 

The news of the battle epread far and near over the country in a 
few hours, and many of the inhabitants were so much alarmed they 
hardly dared venture from home that day, until they were asured the 
British had returned to Philadelphia. A day or two before, a child of 
Samuel Flack, who lived in Doylestown, and kept the tavern where 
Brower's hotel now stands, had died, and was to be buried that day at 
Neshaminy. The people in the neighborhood were so much afraid 
that only four persons would venture with the corpse to the place of 



18 BATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET. 

burial — two young men and two young women, one of whom was a 
Miss Mary Doyle, afterward a Mrs. Mitchell, and mother of Mrs. 
Nathaniel Cornell, of Doylestown. They were all mounted on horse- 
back, the men being armed, and carrying the coffin; and they obtain- 
ed the fastest horses they could, so they might escape from the enemy 
if they should be pursued. When they reached the burying-ground, 
the two young men dismounted and buried the body, while the young 
women remained on horseback, to be ready to fly at the first alarm ; 
after this duty was performed they remounted and hurried home as 
rapidly as possible. They could see the smoke from the burning buck- 
wheat straw as they rode along. 

As soon as General Lacey was fised in his new camp at the Ne- 
shaminy, whither he marched from the field of battle, he ordered a 
general court martial, to try the ofiicers of his scouts for disobedience 
of orders and neglect of duty on the morning of the surprise and at- 
tack at the Billet. It convened at camp. May the 4th, 1778, and was 
composed of twelve officers ; Colonel Smith was President, and Wil- 
liam Findley, afterward a distinguished politician and Member of 
Cong) ess, was the judge-advocate. The two officers tried, were Lieu- 
tenant Neilson and Ensign Laughlin : the former was found guilty of 
the charge laid against him, and sentenced to be cashiered, which was 
carried into effect; the latter was acquitted and ordered to his regiment 
for duty. Besides these two officers, several others, both soldiers and 
citizens, were tried before the same court-martial, for various offences 
— some of them being charged with holding intercourse with the ene- 
my. Several were found guilty, some of whom were sentenced to bo 
whipped, :»nd others to be confined in the jail at Lancaster. 

(leneral Lac?y continued his camp at the Neshaminy, near the cross 
roads, until he was relieved from the command by General Potter. 

Many have blamed General Lacey for the affair at the Billet; and 
those who were hostile to th? cause of the colonies endeavored to in- 
jure his reputation, by making ii'"m responsible for the loss he sustain- 
ed. This attempt, however, failed, and his conduct received the ap- 
probation of his superiors. His situation was truly a critical one, and 
nothing but the coolest judgment, and most determined bravery of 
himself and men, saved them from an entire defeat, and the probable 
capture of his entire force. Throughout the whole alRir he shows 
himself to have been a man of more than ordinary capacity for com- 
mand, and justly covered himself with fresh laurels. In nowise is he 
answerable for the sudden surprise. The place he selected for hi^ 
camp was an -eligible one, and of some natural defense; and he took 



BATTLE OV THE CROOKED BILLET. 1*0 

every precaution the evening before to obtain the earliest information 
of the approach of the enemy. The officers to whom he had entrusted 
the duty of patroling the road leading to his camp disobeyed his or- 
ders, and instead of being out upon duty were in camp ; and after- 
ward, when they did discover the enemy in time to alarm the camp, 
they neglected to do so, and hence the surprise was complete. The 
most vigilant officers are liable thus to be deceived by their subalterns, 
and it would be unjust indeed to blame the commander for such inattcn - 
tion to duty on the part of his subordinates. From this cause Gener- 
al Wayne was surprised at the Paoli, a few nights after the battle of 
Brandywine; and many other distinguished commanders have suffered 
severe losses from a like cause. The only good rule by which to 
judge military officers is by what they accomplish ; and applying this 
standard to General Lacey, his actions will bear the closest scrutiny. 
His camp of four hundred men was surprised and surrounded, at day- 
light, by a force of more than three times as many British troops — he 
bad raw militia — the enemy were veterans inured to war. In spite 
of this disparity of force and circumstances, he formed his little Spar- 
tan band into columns, and cut his way through the enemy, with the 
small loss of only about thirty-five men killed and wounded. He had 
to march a considerable distance across an open country, and fought 
every foot of the way, being pressed at the same time in front and 
rear, and on both flanks. We are astonished he was able to extricate 
himself at all from his perilous situation ; and it seems quite like a 
miracle he did not fall into the enemy's hands with his whole force 
So highly was his conduct appreciated by the Executive Council, that 
Timothy Matlack, Esquire, the Secretary, wrote him on the 16th of 
May, to the following effect : "Your conduct is highly approved ; and 
your men have justly acquired great reputation by their bravery." 
This commendation had some meaning; and, in addition, all the well 
wishers of the cause of liberty applauded the conduct of himself 
and his men. The enemy also tacitly acknowledged his superior skill 
and courage, for Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe, in his account of the es- 
pedition says they failed in the object they had in view, which was to 
capture General Lacey and his whole force. Hence, the British in 
reality, suffered a defeat, although they remained masters of the field. 
With this evidence before them, who will deny to General Lacey great 
honor as a brave and skilful officer ? 



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